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The Best of Britain & Ireland ( 9010)

15 Day Tour from London to London

2025 Tour Details »2026 Tour Details »

On this Best of Britain & Ireland tour, see Britain’s and Ireland’s highlights—from the bustling cities to the small towns and from the breathtaking scenery to the ancient ruins. Traveling through the lands of queens, kings, and leprechauns, begin and end in London and pass through England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales.

On this Britain and Ireland tour, stop in some historic towns and cities, including Oxford, home to some of England’s most famous colleges; York, England's most complete medieval city with its cobbled streets and the magnificent York Minster, England’s largest Gothic cathedral; Stratford-upon-Avon, birthplace of Shakespeare; Chester, where a walking tour highlights its Roman remains and black and white half-timbered buildings; Adare, founded in medieval times and known today as one of Ireland’s prettiest villages; and Bath, known for the excavations of Roman baths used for bathing and socializing 2,000 years ago. Britain and Ireland are known for their green countryside and stunning scenery, and on this Britain and Ireland tour, you’ll witness some of their gorgeous landscapes.

Travel through the incomparable landscapes of Snowdonia National Park in Wales, with picturesque villages, mountains, and lakes. Follow Ireland’s Ring of Kerry, a 100-mile panoramic drive with sparkling seascapes, brightly hued farmhouses, and the breathtaking panorama of the Lakes of Killarney. Visit the spectacular 668-feet Cliffs of Moher, with breathtaking views of rugged cliffs dropping into the ocean. Drive through the Cotswolds, with the rolling hills and picturesque villages, Northumberland National Park, with its wide-open spaces, and the serene Lake District, England’s largest natural park.

All of this and more—including time in Dublin and Edinburgh—await you on this brilliant vacation in Briain and Ireland!

To know more about the visas for this vacation, click here

 Tour Highlights

UNESCO World Heritage

World Heritage Sites are designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) for having cultural, historical, scientific or other form of significance. The sites are judged to contain cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity.

The following UNESCO World Heritage Sites can be seen or visited on this vacation:

  • City of Bath
  • Frontiers of the Roman Empire
  • Old and New Towns of Edinburgh
  • Stonehenge
  • The English Lake District

 Meals

 Meals & Itinerary

Full English breakfast daily; 4 three-course dinners with choice of menus

 Itinerary

Day 1

ARRIVE IN LONDON, ENGLAND Check into your hotel. In the afternoon, there’s time to rest or start exploring the lively British capital. Uniformed hosts are available to help you make the most of your stay.

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Day 2

LONDON Today is free for exploring on your own or enjoying our exciting program of optional activities. You may choose to join a Local Guide for an optional morning sightseeing tour of the city’s famous landmarks: the Houses of Parliament and Big Ben, Westminster Abbey, Whitehall’s mounted horseguards and the Prime Minister’s Downing Street residence, Piccadilly Circus, and Buckingham Palace. The highlight is a visit to St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren’s masterpiece built between 1675 and 1708. Later, maybe visit Windsor Castle or the Tower of London with its spectacular Crown Jewels. Tonight, we recommend our optional Taste of London excursion with dinner, followed by a guided illumination cruise on the Thames River.
Breakfast Breakfast

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Day 3

LONDON–OXFORD–STRATFORD-UPON-AVON–LEEDS Meet your Tour Director and traveling companions and depart at 8 am for Oxford. A walking tour takes in the colleges where Britain’s elite receive their outstanding education. Then, travel through the lovely Cotswold Hills to Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon. Take photos of Anne Hathaway’s Cottage and explore the town at your own pace. Your overnight destination is Leeds.
Today’s Distance: 249 mi/ 400 km
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

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Day 4

LEEDS–YORK–THIRSK–NEWCASTLE This morning, head north to York. Stand in front of the great structure of York Minster, then follow your Tour Director through a maze of quaint streets, including the narrow Shambles. Leaving York, head north and spend some free time in the charming market town of Thirsk famous for its association with James Herriot. On the way to Newcastle, savor spectacular views of the North Yorkshire Moors.
Today’s Distance: 108 mi/ 174 km
Breakfast Breakfast

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Day 5

NEWCASTLE–JEDBURGH, SCOTLAND–EDINBURGH See a section of Hadrian’s Wall, then motor through wild Northumberland National Park to the Scottish border. Stop for photos at Jedburgh before arriving in Edinburgh. Here, sightseeing with a Local Guide introduces you to the 200-year-old “New Town.” In the “Old Town,” visit Edinburgh Castle to admire Scotland’s Crown Jewels. A suggestion for this evening: a traditional Scottish night out with Highland dancers, bagpipers, and, of course, the Ceremony of the Haggis.
Today’s Distance: 117 mi/ 188 km
Breakfast Breakfast

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Day 6

EDINBURGH Your choice today: an optional morning excursion to Rosslyn Chapel, made world-famous by Dan Brown’s Da Vinci Code, and also one of Scotland’s most remarkable buildings. You will have ample time to visit the 15th-century medieval chapel and the visitor centre, and to take photographs of the ruins of Rosslyn Castle. Later, join an optional tour with dinner. For departures July 28 and August 11, tickets are included for tonight’s performance of The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo.
Breakfast Breakfast

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Day 7

EDINBURGH–GRETNA GREEN–LAKE DISTRICT, ENGLAND–CHESTER–WREXHAM, WALES South through the history-steeped Lowland Hills and a visit to Gretna Green, where the blacksmith used to wed runaway couples. Drive through beautiful scenery in the Lake District, considered to be the finest of England’s national parks and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In Chester, the historic county town on the Dee River, your walking tour takes in the Roman remains, black and white half-timbered buildings, and the two-tiered shopping arcades called the “Rows.”
Today’s Distance: 268 mi/ 431 km
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

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Day 8

WREXHAM–BETWS-Y-COED–DUBLIN, IRELAND A scenic North Wales drive through the incomparable landscapes of Snowdonia National Park brings you to lovely Betws-y-Coed. Then, head over spectacular Llanberis Pass and, finally, across Britannia Bridge to the Isle of Anglesey. Take your photos at tongue-twisting Llanfairpwllgwyngyll. At Holyhead, board the ferry for the Irish Sea crossing to Dublin.
Today’s Distance: 104 mi/ 167 km
Breakfast Breakfast

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Day 9

DUBLIN A day in the “Fair City” starts off with an orientation drive through Eire’s capital and includes statue-lined O’Connell Street, elegant Georgian squares, and St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The rest of the day is free for you to enjoy Dublin at leisure. Why not join an optional dinner evening at the Guinness Storehouse?
Breakfast Breakfast

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Day 10

DUBLIN–GALWAY–CLIFFS OF MOHER–ENNIS Head for dairy-farm country in the heart of the “Emerald Isle.” Stop in Galway, a popular seaside destination and a buzzing cosmopolitan district with vibrant shops and a busy café and bar culture. Then, cross the limestone plateau of The Burren to visit the spectacular 668-foot Cliffs of Moher before heading for Ennis, county town of Clare. Tonight, we offer an optional medieval-themed banquet.
Today’s Distance: 214 mi/ 344 km
Breakfast Breakfast

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Day 11

ENNIS–ADARE–RING OF KERRY–KILLARNEY Stop for photos in Adare, a village known for its prize-winning thatched cottages and monastic ruins. In County Kerry, join the road known as the Ring of Kerry for a 100-mile coastal panoramic drive. Focus your camera on sparkling seascapes, mountains dotted with brightly hued farmhouses, winding lanes, and views of the Lakes of Killarney from Ladies View. Later, in Killarney, discover why this is such a popular resort.
Today’s Distance: 189 mi/ 304 km
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

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Day 12

KILLARNEY–BLARNEY–DUNGARVAN–TRAMORE Cross the Kerry Mountains and through County Cork to Blarney, famous for its magical Stone of Eloquence. Time to see the castle, and shop for Irish crafts and handmade crystal. Drive past Cork, the country’s second-largest city, and via Dungarvan to Tramore. Why not join an optional pub tour before dinner at your hotel?
Today’s Distance: 131 mi/ 210 km
Breakfast Breakfast Dinner Dinner

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Day 13

TRAMORE–CARDIFF, WALES An early start for the short drive to Rosslare. In just under four hours, you cross St. George’s Channel by ferry to South Wales. Continue through rich dairy farmland to Cardiff, where an orientation drive introduces you to the capital’s major attractions: Cardiff Castle, Cathays Park, Millennium Stadium, and the stately civic buildings. Tonight, why not join an evening of Welsh entertainment and dinner?
Today’s Distance: 159 mi/ 257 km
Breakfast Breakfast

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Day 14

CARDIFF–BATH, ENGLAND–STONEHENGE–LONDON A day packed with highlights begins as you cross the spectacular Severn Bridge into England. Stop in the elegant Georgian city of Bath, famous for its Roman relics, before visiting Stonehenge, still an intriguing mystery. Explore the visitor centre with its imaginative exhibitions, then admire the magnificence of the monument up close. After returning to London around 3:30 pm, how about celebrating the success of your tour with a night out on the town?
Today’s Distance: 171 mi/ 275 km
Breakfast Breakfast

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Day 15

LONDON Your vacation ends with breakfast this morning.
Breakfast Breakfast

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 Tour Director

With Cosmos, there’s no better way to get to know your destination than through the eyes of your Tour Director. Averaging over a decade... we’d like you to meet a Tour Director, who is representative of the type of expert that will be with you on your vacation.

ANNMARIE CLANCY

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

" I so enjoy the opportunity to share landscapes and cultures. Packed into my tiny part of the world is a depth and breadth of geographical and historical variety that simply cannot be surpassed."

Tour Director -  ANNMARIE CLANCY

ANA SHAW

Escorting tours for more than 5 years

" I have always loved to share my passion and knowledge for the British Isles with friends from all over the world, showing them first my home town and then my country. Great Britain and Ireland offer you all you could imagine and more; hear about it whilst you admire their outstanding natural beauty."

Tour Director -  ANA SHAW

JULIE ANNE BARNETT

Escorting tours for more than 20 years

" The start of a tour is exciting. Clients look forward to experiencing everything they believe it will be. And me? I know it's even better. At the end of each tour, I ask, "Is our country what you expected?" They invariably say, "It's so much more." That makes me a proud Tour Director!"

Tour Director -  JULIE ANNE BARNETT

 Accommodation

LONDON

COPTHORNE TARA HOTEL LONDON

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

LEEDS

HOLIDAY INN LEEDS - GARFORTH

Hotel as shown or similar
Moderate First-Class
  Free Wifi

NEWCASTLE

LEONARDO HOTEL NEWCASTLE

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

EDINBURGH

LEONARDO HOTEL EDINBURGH MURRAYFIELD

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

WREXHAM

RAMADA PLAZA WREXHAM

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

DUBLIN

THE BONNINGTON DUBLIN HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

ENNIS

AUBURN LODGE HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
Superior Tourist-Class
  Free Wifi

KILLARNEY

KILLARNEY COURT HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

TRAMORE

MAJESTIC HOTEL

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

CARDIFF

NOVOTEL CARDIFF

Hotel as shown or similar
First-Class
  Free Wifi

 Optional Excursions

Contact your Travel Consultant for more information.
Price Ranges

$ ($50 USD and under)
$$ ($51 - $100 USD)
$$$ ($101 - $150 USD)
$$$$ (Over $150)



* The "Starting at" or listed price is based on the lowest price available to book. Price is per passenger based on double occupancy and does not include airfare; additional fees/charges are not included. If a price is crossed out, the new price includes a limited time promotional offer(s) – please review current promotions or deals for additional information. Some tours require intra-vacation flights (and in some cases intra-vacation segments must be purchased from Cosmos).
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